CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee toured the Common Ground Cafe during a visit to Clarksville on Tuesday.

Lee used the occassion to formally receive the 10th annual “Expect Employment” report by the Employment First Task Force. This report documents 10 years of “Purpose, Progress and Partnership” by the Employment First Task Force to increase competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities, according to a news release.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee visits the Common Ground Cafe in Clarksville on Dec. 19, 2023, to receive a report on employment for people with disabilities. (Hannah Hutchins)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee visits the Common Ground Cafe in Clarksville on Dec. 19, 2023, to receive a report on employment for people with disabilities. (Hannah Hutchins)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee visits the Common Ground Cafe in Clarksville on Dec. 19, 2023, to receive a report on employment for people with disabilities. (Hannah Hutchins)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee visits the Common Ground Cafe in Clarksville on Dec. 19, 2023, to receive a report on employment for people with disabilities. (Hannah Hutchins)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee visits the Common Ground Cafe in Clarksville on Dec. 19, 2023, to receive a report on employment for people with disabilities. (Hannah Hutchins)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee visits the Common Ground Cafe in Clarksville on Dec. 19, 2023, to receive a report on employment for people with disabilities. (Hannah Hutchins)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee visits the Common Ground Cafe in Clarksville on Dec. 19, 2023, to receive a report on employment for people with disabilities. (Hannah Hutchins)

Common Ground Cafe, located in Civic Hall at Veterans Plaza, 350 Pageant Lane, is a job training partnership between Progressive Directions, the City of Clarksville and Montgomery County. The cafe provides hands-on job training and skills development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping to prepare their interns for jobs in the community.

Visiting along with Lee were Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Brad Turner, TennCare Director Stephen Smith, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, City Councilperson Stacey Streetman, Progressive Directions President/CEO Jay Albertia and interns from Common Ground Cafe.